Chapter 16 #2
Carleigh scoffed. “Try again. There are cameras all around this property, and neither you nor they were on the feed.” She pulled out her phone, and after a few seconds, she said, “Tabby, sorry to bother you, but we need Major at the safehouse. I can send Nekoma if he’s available.
Great, thank you.” She thumbed off her phone, then told the fae, “He’s at the office with Erik Andino, a Hound from the Troy office who transferred to Atlanta.
Since you can’t poof over there, he’s going to drive to Anthony’s. ”
“That’ll take him about half an hour. In the meantime, I’m going to go to the compound and have a look around.” Nekoma opened a portal and stepped through.
“Bayu, why do you not believe me?” the woman asked.
“It’s not that I doubt you, but there is too much at stake if the mages have somehow cursed you as well.
You might have the best intentions, but that doesn’t mean you cannot harm us.
While we wait on Nekoma to return, please tell us everything you have learned about the Black Lotus since they kidnapped you. ”
“They do not talk about themselves. They do not talk much about anything.”
“But you must have observed something. Anything you can give us will be better than nothing.”
“They kept me blindfolded until they put me in the shack.”
“If that’s true and one of the female mages hid the spell book, how were you able to get your hands on it?” Carleigh asked.
“She did not hide it as she was told to.”
Carleigh motioned with her head for Bayu to follow. Warren and Silas stood watch, and when Carleigh and Bayu were well away from the woman, she lowered her voice anyway. “I do not believe her. In fact, I don’t think this is your Gemi.”
“I do not either because this woman hasn’t once asked about Juni. Not only that, but her speech is all wrong. I believe she is one of the Black Lotus who somehow has transformed herself to look like my aunt.”
A whoosh sounded, and Nekoma reappeared with a journal in his hand. “I did not find the paper, but I did locate this.”
The woman gasped, her eyes wide. “How did you get that? It was secured in a box with a lock on it.”
“And the truth comes out. I do hate a liar.” Warren secured her hands behind her back and zip-tied them together. She fought him as best she could, but she was no match for a Gargoyle. “No more lies. Keep your mouth shut or I’ll gag you too.”
“It seems the fae aren’t the only ones who can use glamour.
” Nekoma handed the small book to Bayu. He scanned the pages, and his heart sank further.
He turned his back on the woman pretending to be his aunt and began looking for the curse that bound his Tiger.
Someone’s phone rang, but Bayu ignored it until Carleigh hissed out a “fuck.”
“Nekoma, get Bayu out of here. We have company.”
Bayu closed the journal and turned back toward his mate. Nekoma rushed Bayu, grabbing him as he opened a portal, and whisked him through. They landed on Carleigh’s front lawn.
“No, I need to go back to Carleigh. I won’t leave her there to fight. Nekoma, please.”
Julian rushed out the front door. “Get inside, Bayu.”
“I will not leave my mate to fight without me. Nekoma, take me back.”
“I’ll go, but I need you to get in the house with Harlow,” Julian said as he rushed toward Nekoma. “We don’t have time to argue. I’ll take care of your mate. You have my word.”
“I can fight. Please do not ask me to stay here. Let me get my katana.”
Julian nodded. “Go, but hurry.”
Bayu rushed toward the house, but by the time he made it to the steps, Julian and Nekoma had disappeared through another vortex.
“Fuck!” Bayu gripped his hair, tugging. Why would Julian do that to him?
“Get your ass in the house so I can lock it down.” Juniper was waiting with the door open. Bayu’s shoulders slumped as he trudged her way. “Come with me,” she instructed after locking the door and setting the alarm. He followed her to the office where Harlow was talking and typing at the same time.
“Nekoma portaled Julian to help. Bayu’s safe with me. If you have any males to spare, now would be the time to send them.”
“Major’s almost to Anthony’s, and he has Erik with him. Anthony should be there with Elle since he finished a job yesterday and took the day off,” Tabitha responded. “Have Nekoma go get them.”
Harlow turned to Bayu. “Call Carleigh and have her send Nekoma to Anthony’s house.”
Bayu’s hands shook as he removed his phone from his back pocket. He was still holding the journal, so he placed it on the desk and made the call.
“I know you’re pissed, my tiger, but—”
“Send Nekoma to Anthony’s so he can get Major there to help. We’ll discuss how pissed I am later.”
“Got it. Love you.” Carleigh dropped that little bomb and hung up before he could respond.
Harlow snorted, but Bayu didn’t find anything about this situation funny. After tossing his phone on the desk, he stared at the monitor. He focused on the one inside where his mate held a sword to Gemi’s neck. No, not Gemi – an imposter.
Harlow cursed. “No, Nekoma was supposed to… Oh. Oh! What are they doing here?”
“Who are they?” There was a large man along with a fae coming through a portal on Carleigh’s front lawn.
“If I’m not mistaken, the fae is Thran, Elle’s older brother. He’s the royal guardian to Rhoan, the dragon prince. Not sure who the other dude is if not Rhoan. Let’s go see what they want.”
Juniper’s eyes were wide as she stared out the front window. “Friends of Elle’s?”
“I’m about to find out.” Harlow disabled the alarm and opened the door after pulling a sword from her bracelet. She closed it behind her, leaving it cracked so Bayu could hear.
The non-fae held up his empty hands. “I am Prince Rhoan, and this is Elledan’s brother, Thrandyr. We seek Bayu Tan,” Prince Rhoan said.
“What do you want with him?”
“I bear the mark of the Nuhuala, and I have come to his aid.”
Bayu stepped outside, stopping just over the threshold. Rhoan inclined his head, then he pushed up the sleeve on his right arm, showing the firstborn mark. “Baekyo came to King Mórdrake and told him you are in trouble. How may I assist?”
“You can portal me to my mate so we can kick mage ass. The Black Lotus killed my family, and now they’re after me.
There is a female among them pretending to be my aunt.
Just let me grab my katana.” He retrieved his weapon, and when he rejoined the two males, Harlow was nowhere to be seen.
Bayu assumed she had returned to the office.
Rhoan held up a hand. “Are you sure you should help? The mages will recognize you.”
“I’m sure. I am not sitting back while my mate fights without me.”
Thran angled his head. “I have an idea.” He then waved a hand in front of Bayu. “There. Now you do not look like yourself.”
Bayu wasn’t sure who he looked like, but he didn’t care. “Let’s go.”
Rhoan closed his eyes and touched his arm.
A portal opened, and the three of them stepped through.
They were met with chaos. The Gargoyles had their wings out, keeping them safe from everything the mages flung at them.
Fireballs were being tossed at the mages, but Bayu couldn’t tell who was throwing them.
He assumed one of the fae was hiding them in the shadows.
A large eagle was diving at one of the Black Lotus members, tearing at their skin with its massive talons.
A hoard of black birds swooped and retreated, stealing the mages’ focus momentarily.
When the evil ones noticed the newcomers, they split up and attempted to attack, but Rhoan shifted to his dragon and bellowed before unleashing a blast of blue flame from his massive jaws.
The mages screamed as they were set on fire.
Those who avoided the flames were met with more fireballs.
A roar sounded inside the house, and Bayu’s skin prickled. “Carleigh.” He needed to put eyes on his mate. Bayu swung his katana at a mage who was between him and the front door, the blade slicing through the man’s body. Julian flew to the porch, blocking Bayu’s entrance.
“Get out of my way, Julian. My mate is in there, and I will not leave her alone a second longer.”
“Bayu?” Julian whispered.
“Yes. Now please move out of the way.”
Julian’s eyes widened, and he lunged. Bayu sidestepped the broadsword, but a grunt behind him proved he had not been the target. He turned just as a mage dropped to his knees. Bayu didn’t wait for Julian to argue further. He burst into the house, desperate to put eyes on his mate.